Pakistan star Saddam backs national league to raise standard

Pakistan midfielder Saddam Hussain insisted that the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) needs to improve its standard to help either national team or clubs to challenge for competitive games on the international stage.

The PPL is the highest-tier league of the South Asian country’s football competition system which consists of 12 teams and was introduced in 2006 after replacing the previous National League Division A Football League.

Saddam, who plied his trade at Dordoi Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan last year, shared his vision on developing his native football competition ahead of the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) election on June 30.

“It’s absolutely necessary to raise the league standard,” said the 22-year-old was quoted by Football Pakistan. “There are several flaws in it and I hope the PFF will take some positive steps to improve its standard.”

“There will be a need to bring in corporate sector to invest in the league. There is need of more foreign players in it to make it more competitive as the current players can’t face pressure and standard of international games.”

The 2014/15 PPL campaign saw Karachi Electric FC as the domestic league champions, who will become the Pakistani representative in the 2016 AFC Cup.

About The Author

An Indonesian who has a huge passion to follow South-East Asian football, Eric Noveanto currently writes about the Indonesian Super League and other regions for Goal Indonesia. Has also previously written for Goal Asia and BallBall.